Lithium-Ion battery charger question???

JD Seller

Well-known Member
I have bought lithium-ion batteries to replace my old Ni-Cd 19.2 Craftsman batteries. I have a single port charger that came in a set. I use these tools hard when I use them but they may set for weeks between uses. The old Ni-CD batteries worked but I know leaving them in the charger was not the best thing to do. They still lasted 3 years so I am not complaining.

I have seen the warnings to NOT leave Lithium-Ion batteries in the charger as they can over heat. Maybe they will hold charge between my uses and then there is not any issues. I am just not sure.

I am looking at a multi-port charger that says you can leave the batteries in it as it has a built in "sleep" feature. It sounds exactly like what I am wanting to do. Keep the batteries in the charger so they are fully charged when I need them.

What do you fellows think????


Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt 4-Port Multi Chemistry Charger 17311

Whether you?re working with NiCd or have taken the step to lithium ion, Craftsman C3 19.2 volt 4 port multi chemistry charger delivers a full charge in an hour or less for each individual battery in succession. And to make it more useful, it features a programmed sleep mode that ensures fully charged batteries can be stored in the charger without potential over-load damage. Designed for serious maintenance, after five days in sleep mode, the charger wakes and checks the status of each battery on it, topping up any drain-off, so every battery you reach for is always good to go.

Work benches are made for working, not storage, so this multi chemistry battery charger features an integrated wall mounting system that get it, and four of your spare batteries up and out of the way. And since it features a quick release mechanism, when you need to head to the jobsite, it?s ready in seconds. A solid charger that?ll top up both 19.2 volt NiCd and lithium ion batteries, add this essential to your kit, and get the power you need to get the job done right.

?Craftsman C3 19.2 volt 4 port multi chemistry charger includes: 4 battery charger and quick release wall mount
?Works on both formulations of C3 19.2 volt batteries
?Charger doubles as battery storage
?Protects against over-charging with sleep mode
?Sleep mode wakes after 5 days of storage to ensure a gull charge
?Status button instantly check charge status
?Backed by a 1 year limited warranty
 
The Owner's Manual for that charger (http://i.sears.com/s/d/pdf/mp-tc/spinpdf/spin_prod_1059698912) does state that it works with Craftsman NiCad and lithium-ion batteries. It also mentions that you should only charge one battery at any given time, yet can have three in "upkeep mode" while the 4th is charging.

I'm unclear whether you purchased the batteries complete or if you bought new lithium-ion cells for your old packs. Assuming the Ah rating of your packs is equal to or higher than original packs, then it should be OK to keep them in the charger.

I have seen both normal lithium-ion batteries as well as low-discharge batteries, so I have to assume that Craftsman uses the lesser cost normal batteries - which is why they say you can leave charged batteries in the charger for extended periods. Now, do the actual batteries like being left in all the time? I dunno - never asked any. ;-P
 
kcm.MN: I bought complete NEW lithium-ion batteries. One is a 2 AH and the other two are 4 AH.

I have not had good luck with just replacing the cells in batteries. Plus the cost of NEW OEM batteries on Ebay is less than buying the cells.

I just got the two 4 AH batteries today. The little bit I have used the 2 AH battery has impressed me. I have several 19.2 tools. Some of them like the 1/2 impacts seemed to be failing. After using the new battery in it the brush noise and sparks have cleared up. I think the old batteries where dropping in voltage so the amperage was going high. So with the new battery hold the voltage better amperage is less and the tool is functioning better.
 
...So going back to your original question, which was, is it OK to keep your lithium-ion batteries in the charger all the time? It seems that way. There are so many manufacturers and different qualities of components that it's pretty dang difficult to know just what a particular battery likes best. In this instance, I'd say Craftsman has been over the design enough to be reasonable certain that it's OK to leave the batteries in the charger to maintain their top charge.

I've got a Bosch set; drill and impact driver. I think they're both 2Ah, 18v, but I've certainly been impressed with how long they last per cycle! My charger only works on one at a time, and I believe the instructions said a battery could be kept in the charger for a while, but in this instance that it wasn't recommended to leave them in for extended periods of time. Best guess for you is to follow the manufacturer's directions.
 
I have that 4-port charger and it works very well. Every once in a while one battery on standby won't get analyzed properly and start flashing. Usually removing and reinstalling the battery will solve this, seemed to happen quite a bit with my old NiCads as they died. If you know you are going to use your batteries the next day there is a button on the front that you can push to wake it out of sleep mode and ensure the batteries are fully charged.

All of my Li batteries are 3-4 AH and even several years later work well and usually last all day with heavy work or several days of light work before I have to recharge them.
 
My single battery Craftsman Lithium chargers all go to a sleep (float?) mode when the batteries are charged, can leave the batteries in them.

You'll like the difference in your craftsman tools with the lithium batteries. I hated the nicads, was almost ready to go to a different brand of tools when my wife bought me my first lithium battery and charger for Christmas a few years ago .....BIG difference

And I wind up with more tools...year or so ago, was looking for another battery, Sears had a kit with a 1/2 in impact wrench (already had one, but...), a charger and a 4ah lithium battery for just $30 more than just a battery.

Had mixed results with the ebay lithium batteries, bought 2, one is still good one died in a year. All my sears batteries are still going strong.

Fred
 
JD,
I can only speak for dewalt chargers.
My old NiCd charger never shut off. If I left a battery in charger over night, the battery was hot when I removed it. Charger never shut off.

Dewalt now sells a charger for all 3 types of batteries, NiCd, NiMh and Li ion. This charger doesn't cook batteries. Remove battery next day, it's cool.

I had a dewalt Li ion battery the smoke went out of. I took it apart and noticed there is no way for the average man to rebuild. It had a micro processor inside that monitored all the cells. The smoke went out of the processor. The micro processors job is to monitor the temp and voltage of the cells. You can't just replace cells without the processor unless you want to make more smoke.

The health of Li ion cells depends on charging currents, max and min voltages of cells. Too high tech for battery plus to handle.

I only have one Li ion battery left, no plans to every buy another one. The micro processor shuts battery off when cell voltage gets around 2 volts. This prevents damaging battery.

So, yes use only recommended charger for all NiMH and Li ion batteries. The old NiCd charger may let the smoke out of the other batteries. Don't take a chance and burn your barn down.
geo
 
Hello JD Seller,

Sounds like you found what you need. Just follow the recommended manual settings. NiCads are the ones that will take a trickle charge. All newer cells are Not to be trickle charged. Fast chargers,like the one you describe, will give you 80% battery saturation. More then adequate for good power and time before recharging. Charging to full saturation takes a slower charge rate. All charging controlled by voltage.

Guido.
 
Any decent Lithium charger will stop charging when the battery is full, and either monitor the state of charge, or do nothing. If a charger does not do this then it is a fire hazard and should not be used.

One thing you definitely do not want to do is use the NiCd charger to charge Lithium batteries. You'd be better off just lighting the match yourself.
 
Speaking for the Ryobi 18v chargers, they are made for leaving the battery in the charger if desired....says so in the instructions. Also Li-Io have an extremely long storage shelf life so you don't need to worry about charging and letting sit on the shelf for a long time, ref. instructions note. I don't leave mine on the charger after fully charged just because I choose not to. No other reason.

You are cautioned to keep your batteries out of the sun, aka no tossing them up on your dashboard in your truck sitting out in the hot sun during the summer sort of thing. Don't leave your weed eater out in the sun propped up against the side of your barn sort of thing. Overheating is what causes problems with Li-Io per what I read in accompanying instructions.

I love 'em. No way will I go back to Ni-Cad.
 
Can't speak for the Craftsman but my Milwaukee L-ion 18v's will stop charging and cool to room temp when done. I have had senior moments and left them plugged in for weeks but I normally charge them up and set them aside. I have picked them up after several month's and they are still fully charged so there's no point in leaving them plugged in on purpose. This wasn't the case with my old Dewalt's so you'll have to try it with your's and see how they behave.

There have been so many scares over l-ions overheating and blowing up it's pitifull. That's why you see the warnings.
 
I have 4 newer dewalt chargers. You can leave Ni Mh batteries in them for weeks and they will not over heat. It's like the charger shuts off, no harm to batteries. Same with my only surviving Li ion battery. Charge them and forget them.

No way will I go back to Ni-Cad or buy another Li ion. Had too much bad luck with both.
geo.
 
I use Li-Mh in my RC model transmitters because they don't represent a fire hazard so I don't have to take them out after using.

The models themselves use the Li-ion and have to be removed after flight and stored in a fireproof container. Don't have the same luxury with these as I do with my Ryobi Li-ion tools.

I have 2 problems with Li-Mh: weight and fully charged voltage of 1.2 vs 1.5. On electronics with battery monitors, as soon as I put a fully charged battery in a control, I get a low battery alarm. Otherwise I would use them in place of Alkaline 1.5 batteries. On weight, too heavy to fly with equal voltage/mahr to a Li-Ion.
 
Tex,
I use my dewalt shop radio to slowly discharge my Li Mh batteries. Shop radio has a built in charger too. So I unplug radio and let it run off battery. Radio stops when voltage gets around 12v. Li Mh batteries do have some memory, so this helps wipe out the memory.

You are right, they do have a weight problem, but they still pack a punch long after the others stop.
geo
 
Hello Texasmark1,

Never heard of lithium ion having to be put in a bag for charging or storing. Are you sure?

Guido.
 
Guido,
I heard the airlines have a special bag for Li-ion phones and laptops catching on fire.

I read where if you puncture the Li ion cell, air comes in contact with the inside of cell, it will catch fire. Not to mention, they don't seem to last very long and they don't carry the same ma-hrs.

Only upside is they are light weight and do hold a charge longer, but under cold winter conditions in the tool box of truck, for get it. Not to mention over priced for what you get.

I'm becoming less of a fan of something that can overheat and catch fire.

I wonder what the stats are for buildings catching on fire because of Li ion batteries?
geo.
 
Hello Geo,

Its getting old trying to correct and point out wrong info. Please Read my post. Also read Texasmark1 post so you can see and understand my question,

Guido.
 
Yes sir. These are high discharge Li-Po batteries. The cautions are on the back of the batteries made by Turnigy (for one) like on their Lithion-Ion-Polymer RC 25-35C (amp) discharge, 2200 mah storage capacity 11.1 volt, battery. These batteries are made from 3ea 3.7v cells which have to be monitored during the charge (4 wires to the charger for a 3 cell battery) to ensure that all cells are being charged properly. Other mfgrs. I have are Fluoreon and Power Wing. The PW will put out 20a (430 mah, 2 cell, 7.4v) and is smaller than half a match box.

The charger I use is the simplest safe one I could find and it's a Prophet Sport Li-Po. It's a constant voltage, constant current charger. You select your charge rate for your battery size. The 2200 mah mentioned above can be charged to 11.1V at 2 amperes. There are minimum and maximum voltages for these batteries. Below 3 volts they die (won't recharge) and about 4.2 they are ready to go boom per cell. If they get hot while charging you need to take them off the charger. Also charging needs to be done with you present. Just because they feel ok when charging and all, they can erupt later on if damaged.....dropping on the floor is a no no. You never know so you have to be carful and put them in a fireproof container.

The 2200 for example can put out between 25 and 35 amperes in a burst and you can close the palm of your hand around it. Burst is needed for things like taking off where max power of your electric motor is needed. There are lot larger ones required for the very large RC airplanes.......you tube has some monsters if interested......have crews whose full time job it is to care for and fly these monsters.....sponsored by associated large companies, like airlines....I think one of the largest is of the Airbus 380 4 engine super hauler.

I figured you'd comment on this post.....grin.
 
Hello Texasmark1,

You said the models themselves use lithium ion. I know that they ARE Li Po. Miss print on your part!

Guido.
 
Yeah. Forgot they also had the "Polymer" addition for the high current but apparently that and the Li-Ion makes for an unstable combination.
 
"Its getting old trying to correct and point out wrong info." Don't loose heart man! Dirty job but somebody's got to do it. Grin
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top